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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to 
3learn of the death of Louis Leonard "Len" Dirksen of 
4Springfield, who passed away on November 25, 2018; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Len Dirksen was born in Springfield to Lawrence G. 
6and Mary Helen Leonard Dirksen on December 11, 1942; he 
7graduated from Cathedral Boys High School and earned a 
8bachelor's degree in education and a master's degree in special 
9education from SIU Carbondale; he married Julie Bucari, and 
10they raised their daughters in their hometown, surrounded by a 
11very loud, very loving family; an Eagle Scout, he made sure his 
12daughters knew how to change their own tires, bone a fish, and 
13read a map; and
  
 
14    WHEREAS, Len Dirksen was a proud member of the American 
15Business Club, and his duties at the State Fairgrounds 
16Grandstand meant a lifetime of memories; he played baseball 
17with the Un-Stars and was famous for his grilled corn at 
18season-end parties; he organized the LPGA Rail Classic Charity 
19Golf Outing for many years and was a core member of the 
20Governor's Prayer Breakfast Committee; and
  
 
21    WHEREAS, Len Dirksen was quick with a warm smile, had a 
22laugh that filled any room, and sported a mischievous twinkle 
 
 
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1in his eye; he was generous and loyal; a proud Irish-Catholic 
2Kennedy Democrat, he was active in politics; he was a proud 
3father and grandfather and made good friends wherever he 
4landed; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Len Dirksen was preceded in death by his parents; 
6his brother, Lawrence G. Dirksen; and his sister, Diane Skaggs; 
7and
  
 
8    WHEREAS, Len Dirksen is survived by his daughters, Molly 
9(Camilo Rasquin) Dirksen and Betsy (Tom Jr.) Dirksen Londrigan; 
10his grandchildren, Jack, William, and Kathryn Londrigan; the 
11mother of his children, Julie Bucari Dirksen; his nieces, 
12Linley Bowyer, Ashley Vasconcelles, and Sherry Skaggs; his 
13nephews, Gary Dirksen and Larry Skaggs; and his many beloved 
14cousins; therefore, be it
  
 
15    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL 
16ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of 
17Louis Leonard "Len" Dirksen and extend our sincere condolences 
18to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be 
19it further
  
 
20    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
21presented to the family of Len Dirksen as an expression of our 
22deepest sympathy.